Truckers steer licensing issue into court

WINNIPEG — A group of Punjabi-speaking truck drivers in Manitoba who transferred to the province from Ontario say they are being treated unfairly by Manitoba's Crown insurance company.

A total of 23 drivers have filed an application in Court of Queen's Bench against Manitoba Public Insurance, alleging MPI is discriminating against them.

The truckers say they passed all necessary tests in Ontario and received their Manitoba Class F1 trucking licence after moving, yet are being ordered by the company to retested again by Nov. 6 or they will lose their licences.

The drivers say, as a group, they generally have a clean driving record.

MPI says in a statement issued Thursday that a number of commercial-class drivers licensed outside of Manitoba have been notified that they must recertify to Manitoba Class One driver testing standards.

It's expected the group's application will be heard by a judge early next week.

Parminder Singh, one of the drivers involved in the court action, said he and his colleagues have done nothing wrong.

"We did everything by the book, so they (MPI) have no basis to tell us that we have to redo the test."

MPI said in its statement that retesting is being done under relevant provisions of The Drivers and Vehicles Act.

"This action is not based on race or ethnicity but rather to address public safety concerns and the corporation’s obligation to enforce Manitoba driver testing and licensing standards as administrator of the act," it said.

The Crown company said it will not comment further, as the matter is now before the court. (CTV Winnipeg)

By The Canadian Press

Truckers steer licensing issue into court

NewsOct 13, 2017

WINNIPEG — A group of Punjabi-speaking truck drivers in Manitoba who transferred to the province from Ontario say they are being treated unfairly by Manitoba's Crown insurance company.

A total of 23 drivers have filed an application in Court of Queen's Bench against Manitoba Public Insurance, alleging MPI is discriminating against them.

The truckers say they passed all necessary tests in Ontario and received their Manitoba Class F1 trucking licence after moving, yet are being ordered by the company to retested again by Nov. 6 or they will lose their licences.

The drivers say, as a group, they generally have a clean driving record.

MPI says in a statement issued Thursday that a number of commercial-class drivers licensed outside of Manitoba have been notified that they must recertify to Manitoba Class One driver testing standards.

It's expected the group's application will be heard by a judge early next week.

Parminder Singh, one of the drivers involved in the court action, said he and his colleagues have done nothing wrong.

"We did everything by the book, so they (MPI) have no basis to tell us that we have to redo the test."

MPI said in its statement that retesting is being done under relevant provisions of The Drivers and Vehicles Act.

"This action is not based on race or ethnicity but rather to address public safety concerns and the corporation’s obligation to enforce Manitoba driver testing and licensing standards as administrator of the act," it said.

The Crown company said it will not comment further, as the matter is now before the court. (CTV Winnipeg)

By The Canadian Press

Top Stories

Truckers steer licensing issue into court

NewsOct 13, 2017

WINNIPEG — A group of Punjabi-speaking truck drivers in Manitoba who transferred to the province from Ontario say they are being treated unfairly by Manitoba's Crown insurance company.

A total of 23 drivers have filed an application in Court of Queen's Bench against Manitoba Public Insurance, alleging MPI is discriminating against them.

The truckers say they passed all necessary tests in Ontario and received their Manitoba Class F1 trucking licence after moving, yet are being ordered by the company to retested again by Nov. 6 or they will lose their licences.

The drivers say, as a group, they generally have a clean driving record.

MPI says in a statement issued Thursday that a number of commercial-class drivers licensed outside of Manitoba have been notified that they must recertify to Manitoba Class One driver testing standards.

It's expected the group's application will be heard by a judge early next week.

Parminder Singh, one of the drivers involved in the court action, said he and his colleagues have done nothing wrong.

"We did everything by the book, so they (MPI) have no basis to tell us that we have to redo the test."

MPI said in its statement that retesting is being done under relevant provisions of The Drivers and Vehicles Act.

"This action is not based on race or ethnicity but rather to address public safety concerns and the corporation’s obligation to enforce Manitoba driver testing and licensing standards as administrator of the act," it said.

The Crown company said it will not comment further, as the matter is now before the court. (CTV Winnipeg)